Kids will love this railroad themed aquatic center featuring a spiral slide, tube slide, water geysers and playful water features. Open during the summer months 7 days a week, Whitewater Junction is located inside the lovely Longview Park in Rock Island, Illinois.

Built on the site of a former Arabian horse farm, this beautiful 18-hole, par 71 championship golf course stretches along wooded ravines on the Rock River. The course is home of the John Deere Classic, a PGA Tour event that draws top golf talent.

Located along the Mississippi River in the downtown Rock Island Arts & Entertainment District, this park offers spectacular views of the Mississippi River, an open-air stage, interactive fountain, observation shelter, waterfront promenade, bike trail and digital playgrounds (the first installation of its kind in the Midwest). The park is also available for rental for weddings, receptions and special events.

This golf course is a stunning example of a golf course designed from the early part of the 20th century. Saukie was built in 1927 (opened in 1928) and designed by Thomas Bendelow. This public course is considered to be an “executive length" course and is a classic example of a short course that will challenge every golfer. Tee times available 6 a.m to 6 p.m.

Bike rentals through the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau are available at their Visitor Center located at 1601 River Drive, Suite 110 in Moline. Bikes are available in a variety of sizes and come with locks and helmets. They also offer Kiddie Trailers to hook on the back of adult bikes for toddlers and small bikes that can be attached to the adult bike for children still needing training wheels. Rentals are available from Memorial Day through October. Rent by the day or by the hour.

This zoo located near the Quad Cities houses more than 900 exotic animals. See the animal exhibits on foot or hop aboard the Mel McKay Express, a miniature replica of an old steam engine that takes visitors around the park. Rise and shine with the wild things during Breakfast With the Animals, held on select Saturdays.

The visitor center overlooks Lock & Dam 15 on Arsenal Island. See the observation deck - a great spot for viewing bald eagles in the winter and for watching barges lock through on their way up and down the mighty Mississippi River. Enjoy exhibits on the Mississippi River and a gift shop. Guided tours are available of the Lock & Dam system on Saturdays and Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tour Reservations are required!

Situated in Sunset Park in Rock Island is the Mississippi River Trail. Listed as a difficult trial, mainly due to its length and many portions not protected by shade, this asphalt trail hugs the bank of the river as you move through parks, industrial sections, downtown business districts and small river towns.

The Great River Trail is a breathtaking journey along 60 miles of the Mississippi River. The route is a mixture of paved rail-trail, small-town sidewalks, dedicated bike lanes on the street and a stretch of road shoulder along the Great River Road. The Great River Trail begins in Savanna and travels south through many small river towns with traditions still steeped in the quintessential culture of the Mississippi River.

Opening April 1, 2013, this Nicklaus Design championship golf course features fairways that wind through a hardwood forest in a scenic lakefront setting. The public is welcome to tee off at this Quad Cities-area course that offers challenges for golfers of all levels. Brush up your skills with a lesson from the professional teaching staff.

Channel Cat makes stops between five docks in the Quad Cities area. Each boat accommodates 47 people and seven bicycles. The Channel Cat offers a wonderful opportunity to get out on the mighty Mississippi River and see it up close. You can get on and get off at the various docks and enjoy nearby attractions and riverfront bike trails. One fare is good all day!

Hop aboard the family-owned Celebration Belle riverboat that cruises the mighty Mississippi River. Operating April through October, the 800-passenger riverboat offers a variety of cruises, ranging from sightseeing tours to theme cruises such as Big Band and fall foliage, captain's dinner and dance cruises, and overnight excursions.

Wonderful for families, friends for outdoor recreation. Additionally, the Watch Tower Lodge has hosted thousands of wedding receptions and offers a lovely setting in the beautiful historic park. This wooded, steeply rolling 208-acre tract, borders the Rock River in the city of Rock Island. Prehistoric Indians and 19th-Century settlers made homes here, but the area is most closely identified with the Sauk nation and its great warrior, Black Hawk. Voted one of the "7 Wonders of Illinois," this pristine park offers beautiful trails for hiking and walking only. Picnic areas are also available. While at the park be sure to visit the Watch Tower Lodge that houses a large reception area and the John Hauberg Indian Museum. The museum features Sauk and Meskwaki Native American Indian artifacts and displays depicting the four seasons and life of these tribes. A new exhibit tells the story of the Sauk and Meskwaki—how they came to live in the Quad City area, why they no longer live here, and, as the piece de resistance, a four-by-eight-foot scale model of the city of Saukenuk one of the largest Native American Indian settlements in the United States.

Enjoy this professional water ski team as they perform on the Rock River with jumps, human pyramids and more. Great fun for all ages and admission is free. Shows are offered every Wednesday and Sunday from Memorial Day through Labor Day beginning at 6:30pm.

What a way to travel - about 75 miles, from one major river to another (the Illinois and the Mississippi), all on one newly built trail. The Hennepin Parkway State Trail (a linear state park) offers surcease from the flat, treeless Illinois prairie with a lock-strewn straight course of water and a green tunnel over the old tow path of a canal that was obsolete before it was completed. Quaint towns lie nearby, camping spaces (usually primitive) abound, and history is there for the dipping of your fingers in the water. At Sheffield, a comprehensive trail museum more than fills the gaps in your experience of a very unique way to travel through the heart of America.

Adventure Quest of the Quad Cities is the perfect for fun-filled outdoor adventures. This 54-acre facility is located just off 1-80 & I-88 near East Moline IL. Make your reservations today and enjoy zip lines, panning for gems, hay rack rides, and wonderful hiking trails. This facility is also available for parties and corporate team building. An elegantly decorated 8,000 square foot banquet facility with an extensive menu is available. The facility also offers interactive games, inflatables, dunk tanks, water slides, laser tag, and more. Check out these annual fall events that include Pumpkin Festival the last weekend in September and the QC Haunted Forest every Friday & Saturday in October.